Face masks during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and self-reported seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms

Online public attention toward allergic rhinitis in Wuhan, China: Infodemiology study using Baidu index and meteorological data

“…To sum up, our study showed the trend characteristics of “Allergic Rhinitis” search volume are basically consistent with the results of previous epidemiological investigations ( 4 , 5 , 23 , 33 – 35 ) and the correlations of “Allergic Rhinitis” and “Pollen Allergy,” “Dust Mites Allergy,” and “Mites” SV are the same as the assumption. It suggests that Baidu Index data has the potential to reflect and predict the prevalence of AR by analyzing users' search behavior and medical information needs, and partly guide AR health education in Wuhan, which is consistent with previous research that found Google trends can reflect the epidemiological characteristics of AR in the United States ( 13 ).…”

“…Meanwhile, the data released by Nanshan Zhong, the leader of the National Health Commission Senior Expert Group in China, showed that the incidence of all 40 legal infectious diseases in China has decreased since the first half of 2020. Hence, it can be conclude that good hygiene habits, such as maintaining social distance and wearing face masks outdoors regularly, play an integral role in preventing COVID-19 pandemics and associated infectious diseases, as well as reducing the incidence and attacks of AR, which has been confirmed by studies ( 33 – 35 ). Thus, we suggest that AR patients should better maintain good personal hygiene habits and wear face masks outdoors, which can effectively protect them from AR attacks.…”

SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19) and Rhinologic Manifestation: Narrative Review

“…To the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies on the direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on allergic rhinitis. However, according to two studies, using a COVID-19 protective facial mask during pollen season may reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis [ 43 , 44 ]. Dubini et al reported that ragweed-allergy -related nasal symptoms (sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and nasal itching) significantly improved in the 2020 ragweed season compared with 2019 [ 43 ].…”

Use of face masks and allergic rhinitis from ragweed: Why mention only total pollen count and not air pollution levels?

“…We conducted a similar study on a higher number of pollen-monosensitized patients (n = 291) living in the Campania Region (Italy), comparing nasal and conjunctival symptoms in April 2020 (with use of face mask) and in April 2019 (without face masks). 5 The regional environmental agency (ARPAC) provided data on pollen counts and pollutant levels recorded in these 2 months and in each Campania province. We demonstrated significant improvements in nasal symptoms, but unchanged conjunctival ones, when face masks were used, with documented stable pollen and pollutant levels in the two considered periods.…”

“…The improvement in nasal symptoms was significantly associated with the hours of facial mask use. 5 On the basis of this background, it is clear that the evaluation of changes in symptoms (worsenings or improvements) of ragweed-induced allergic rhinitis in the same 2-year periods has a limited scientific rationale without data on air pollution. In fact, the improvement showed by the authors may be caused by the reduction of pollens (already described by the authors) and/or pollutants, that is even more likely due to the "lockdown" in a region where traffic and industrial activities have usually a huge impact.…”